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The BCCI's decision to invite Pakistan for a bilateral series was welcomed by former players and cricket aficionados from both countries
ESPNcricinfo staff
July 16, 2012
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"We are delighted with this invitation and development and see it as a big ice-breaker in revival of bilateral ties between the two countries. The BCCI invitation today is the result of some really hard work put in by both boards in the last few months to resume bilateral ties. I am sure millions of cricket fans in both countries will be happy with this decision."
PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf
"The competition in such a series is so high that it's important for the players. And players from both the sides miss such matches and they want to be part of it."
Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq
"It eventually would give both sides a chance to communicate and let people establish contact with each other - that is a positive sign. This overall is a stepping stone for the uphill task of bringing teams to Pakistan."
Former Pakistan batsman Aamer Sohail
"It will be interesting, Pakistan is playing their home series in India. It will mean a lot to the two nations. And the amount of interest and the goodwill it will generate will be huge. Lots of positives will come out of it and it is a step in the right direction."
Former India spinner Bishan Bedi
"One must give credit to [Zaka] Ashraf for his wholehearted efforts to revive Indo-Pak cricket. That paid off today."
Former Pakistan batsman Javed Miandad
"The best remedy is to play. At least the country will be busy watching cricket. It will be good for cricket and the Indo-Pak relationship. Both the countries should be playing cricket every year. It is a very good sign."
Former Pakistan batsman Zaheer Abbas
"For a while we thought Ind v Aus could make up for it..but the Ind v Pak 2011 WC semi final reminded us Ind-Pak will always be special."
Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar on Twitter
"I think cricket will open further doors like trade and co-operation in tackling terrorism in both the countries. India should also be given the option of playing at the neutral venues like the UAE."
Former Pakistan bowler Abdul Qadir
"This is a statement of intent more than it is a cricket tour. Takes me back to the South African tour of 1992, which seemed similar in intent."
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle on Twitter
"Being a Mumbaikar I feel, what is the urgency when there is no co-operation [regarding the probe into the Mumbai terror attacks of 2008] from the other side?"
Former India batsman Sunil Gavaskar
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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@ SG , cooperation is needed on srilanka team attacks and other numerous indian sponsored attacks , in pak .. yes what is the urgency when ther is no cooperation from other side ( India )
Posted byliterally insane comments from SG !!! cricket is the best remedy, if we start worrying about the political things then there wont be any cricket ever b/w the two countries... people with the caliber lyk that of SG should be more sensitive on these issues
Posted bySG is trying gain political respect. Even though india vs Pakistan is something entire world want to see. indopak series is bigger than ashes. SG should keep his comments to himself. Ind board must be making move to revive good cricketing relationship with pakistan.Its very important for india and pakistan to play eachother regularly. We all want this series and many more to go on.
Posted by Saud on (July 19, 2012, 11:20 GMT)Yes, there should not be any Cricket till the resolving of Mumbai issue, Kashmir issue, Siachin issue, water issues, border issues etc etc. Yes, but business can be done as it is matter of money and not emotions?????
Posted by Commenter123 on (July 18, 2012, 18:01 GMT)SG is from Mumbai. He knows the pain first-hand. If anyone accuse him of getting "cheap publicity", "politicking" or "trying to keep peace from happening" should really think, what would they do if it happened it in their hometown. Someone said Cricket does not hurt people or has side effects. Tell that to Srilankan team.
Posted by StatisticsRocks on (July 18, 2012, 13:32 GMT)@billy_bilal: Evn though I agree with teh fact that sports and politics should not be mixed together but then cricket alone does not resolve all the issues that you have stated. If that was the case why did it take the PAK PM to talk to BCCI for cricket but no cooperation was xtended to bring to justice the people who carried out Mumbai 2008. Explain Why the respective countiries PM's were at the WC semi final in 2011. You and I both know very well that unfortunately politics is part of evthg in our region and our day-to-day lives. IMO the intense htrd between our two nations is also politically motivated. Cricinfo Pl post.
Posted byI agree with SG. Wats hurry as if we dont enuf on our plate. That too sandwiching between tight End and Aus Series.
Posted by AniketRaut on (July 18, 2012, 9:07 GMT)I can't agree more with Gavaskar on this topic.
Posted by Vilander on (July 18, 2012, 8:59 GMT)Indians who say 'cant wait to see pak in india' etc. should think about 2011. I know scores of people who are planning to boycot the series and ipl. Time will tell.
Posted by billy_bilal on (July 18, 2012, 7:36 GMT)of all people, it had to be Sunny to oppose Indo Pak series. Unbelievable! he is perhaps the most respected indian player in Pakistan and its surprising to hear his views about ties with Pak. I would have thought that a cricketer with his standing would know better than to mix cricket with Politics. India and Pak don't just have one issue to resolve, there are numerous others namely kashmir, Water etc etc.If you start mixing Politics and Cricket, there will never be Cricket between these two countries. If you want to wait for Cricket to start after resolving all outstanding issues then it wont happen in our life time.